DGCA okays maintenance & repair of Dorniers, Avros at HAL

Written by: OneIndia Defence Desk

Updated: Wednesday, April 1, 2015, 17:45 [IST]

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Bengaluru, March 17: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given its approval to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for the maintenance and repair of Dornier (Do-228) and Avro (HS 748) aircraft.

The crucial DGCA nod has been given to HAL's Transport Aircraft Division (TAD) situated in Kanpur.

Reacting to the positive move by the DGCA, HAL says it has come has a huge boost to its civil aviation activities.

"It's a great decision by the DGCA and we welcome it whole heartedly. The TAD in Kanpur has obtained these approvals after rigorous audit by a special team from DGCA. Our civil aviation activities would receive a further push with the DGCA decision," says HAL Chairman T Suvarna Raju.

HAL had recently voiced its concerns with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) last year when it was kept out of the tendering of Indian Air Force's Avro replacement plans.

HAL said that the TAD Kanpur facilities will have to be used to its fullest potential and hence it may be made party to programmes of national interest.

DGCA approval as per CAR-145

The Kanpur Division is now DGCA approved facility for maintenance and repair of both Do 228 and HS-748 aircraft as per CAR-145. (CAR: Civil Aviation Requirements)

"The CAR-145 was introduced on January 26, 2005 to harmonize requirements for approval of aircraft maintenance organizations with that of international requirements."

"The availability of type rated license holders in airframe, engine and avionics is a prerequisite for grant of these approvals apart from adequate facilities and documentation for maintenance and repair of aircraft," an HAL spokesperson said.

Several role-specific modifications on Dorniers

Last month, HAL bagged a contract for supplying 14 Do-228 aircraft to the IAF. So far, HAL has produced 125 Do 228 and 89 HS 748, which are flying with Indian armed forces and others.

Under the special package being extended to Seychelles in 2013, one Do 228 was also exported.

For the maritime surveillance of its extensive coastline, Mauritius had recently inked a pact with HAL to acquire a Dornier aircraft.

Over the years, HAL added several role-specific equipment on Dorniers, to meet the requirements of various customers.

"We integrate new modifications and keep the aircraft contemporary with latest technology developments," the spokesperson said.

TAD Kanpur has so far rolled out 89 Avros (HS-748) out of which 67 were delivered to IAF, 17 to Indian Airlines, two to DGCA (for calibration role), two to Border Security Force and one to the National Remote Sensing Agency in Hyderabad.